Furniture joint

ABSTRACT

A furniture joint which can be assembled by unskilled persons into a firm locked condition utilizing a double re-entrant groove for lateral insertion and a right angle lateral motion for locking, with provision to block the joint against dis-assembly.

United States Patent Herrmann [4 1 Aug. 1,1972

[54] FURNITURE JOINT [72] Inventor: Frederick H. Herrmann, 3015Lakehaven Court, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48105 [22] Filed: May25, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 40,941

[52] US. Cl ..287/20.92 D, 287/20.927, 52/285 [51] Int. Cl ..F16b 5/07[58] Field of Search..287/20.92 D, 20.92 C, 20.92 E, 287/20.92 K, 20.92G, 20.92 R, 56, 126, 20

[56] References Cited V UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,044,806 7/1962 Preissleret al. ..287/20 R 2,876,275 3/1959 Schulz ..287/20.92 CX 189,215 4/1877Hayward et al ..287/20.927 1,272,131 7/1918 Silberg ..287/20.9272,845,685 8/1958 Lovgren et al ..287/20.92 X

Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Wayne L. SheddAtt0rneyBarnes, Kisselle, Raisch & Choate [57 ABSTRACT A furniture jointwhich can be assembled by unskilled persons into a firm locked conditionutilizing a double' re-entrant groove for lateral insertion and a rightangle lateral motion for locking, with provision to block the jointagainst dis-assembly.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ummus 11912 T AVAILABLECOPY 3580.898

FIG.].

ATTO RNEYS 1. FURNITURE JOINT This invention relates to a furniturejoint and more particularly to a joint which can be assembled by anunskilled person.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a furniture jointwhich is self-contained in the respective parts to be joined so thatvarious portions of the fumiture can be fabricated at the place of useutilizing various components to improve the flexibility of constructionand lower the cost.

It is an object of the invention to provide panels and joints inherenttherein which can be used for connecting panels, prefabricatingcabinets, the mounting of prefabricated cabinets, and the joining ofprefabricated storage walls and partitioning systems.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a joint which whenlocked is secure and firm and which cannot become intentionallyseparated.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent in thefollowing description and claims.

,DRAWINGS accompany the disclosure and the various views thereof may bebriefly described as:

FIG. 1, a sectional view of a completed joint.

- FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and S, schematic drawings of sequential steps in theassembly of a joint.

FIG. 6, an illustration of the joint utilized for suspending on avertical wall.

' FIG. 7, an illustration of a modified joint construction.

FIG. 8, a modified form of panel-channel interlock.

Referring to the drawings:

In FIG. 1, a panel is joined to a panel 12 with the interlock system ofthe present invention. The panel 10 has a slot 14 with side walls 16 andsecurely mounted in this slot is a joint channel 20. This channel hasserrated outer walls to register with the walls 16 and preferably hassmall grooves 22 extending along the base surface thereof which may beused for the retention of glue to provide an interlock on the base andsides. The inner wall 24 of the base of the channel 20 is essentiallyflat and one side wall 26 is also a straight wall. The other side wallhas extending therefrom, in cross-section, a longitudinally extendingtongue28, this tongue extending slightly less than half way across thespan of the channel.

The panel 12 has an interlock member thereon which has, incross-section, a longitudinally extending tongue portion 30 withserrated walls 32 which interlock into a slot 34 having serrated wallsto lie against the walls of the tongue 30. Both the channel 20 and thetongue 30 may be installed by sliding endwise into place or may bepushed directly into their respective retaining slots. In FIG. 8 amodified form shows both the walls of the groove 16a and the outer wallsof the channel 20 serrated to interlock in direct engagement.

The tongue 30 terminates at the top in a U-shaped joint element 36having a base portion 38 lying flat against the top edge of the panel12, as viewed in FIG. 1, and having a second leg 40 spaced therefrom toprovide an opening to receive the tongue 28. Against the base of the Uelement 36 when the joint is assembled, as shown in FIG. 1, is ablocking strip 42.

In FIGS. 2 to 5, there are progressive schematic illustrations showingthe manner in which the joint is assembled in a double lateral motion.In FIG. 2, it will be seen that the joint is moved upwardly into a spacebetween the end of the tongue 28 and the side wall 26. It is shown inthis position in FIG. 3. The panels are then moved so that panel l2moves laterally relative to the panel 20 and the tongue 28 enters thespace between the legs of the U-shaped member 36. When the parts reachthis position, the strip 42 is driven into the space between the base ofthe U element 36 and the side wall 20 so that the joint is locked inplace.

In FIG. 6, there is illustrated the manner in which the joint may beused for suspension on a vertical panel 50. In this assembly the panelelement 52 is mounted on the vertical panel by suitable screws 54. Thepanel 56 to be mounted carries on it the U-shaped element 58 havingspaced legs 60 with serrated inner surfaces 62 to lock in spacedcomplemental slits in the panel 56.

In assembly, it will be seen that the panel 56 is lifted so that theouter leg of the strip 58 can enter the space behind a tongue 64 of theelement 52 and then the parts are allowed to drop so that there isengagement of one leg of the U-shaped element 52 behind the tongueportion 64. It is not necessary to fill the space 60 in this instancebecause gravity will hold the parts together.

In FIG. 7, a modified outer channel is shown having a base 70, a sidewall 72 on one side, and a side wall 74 on the other side, the side wall74 carrying the longitudinally extending tongue portion 76. The base isprovided with a resilient lock strip which is integrally connected at 82to the channel but which has a downwardly extending edge 84. Whenassembled as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the edge 84 would first moveupward into the recess 86 by reason of contact with the insertionelement. After the U-shaped insertion element is moved into itspermanent position engaging the tongue 76, then the lock strip 80springs back to contact the upper corner of the base of the U-shapedelement 36 which will then be locked in place. When the lateralinsertion motion is complete, the parts will be locked permanently inposition until intentionally disassembled. I

It will thus be seen that pieces of furniture can be assembled at theirdestination by utilizing the abovedescribed locking system, either bythe ultimate con sumer or by workmen who need not be skilled toaccomplish the proper result. No glue and no screws, brackets or clampsare needed. Desk. panels with vertical base stands can be assembled inthis way and other modules of furniture can be connected in manydifferent ways by utilizing the described joint.

I claim:

1. A joint for fastening together two structural elements such asfurniture which comprises:

a. a first element to be fastened,

b. a first joint element comprising a first elongate channel memberhaving in cross-section opposed legs with a longitudinally extendingtongue extending from one leg toward the other and spaced from the base,

c. means for fastening the first joint element along its length to thefirst element to be fastened,

d. a second element to be fastened,

e. a second joint element comprising a second elongate channel memberhaving in cross-section spaced legs to receive said tongueininterlocking engagement, said second joint element being means forfastening said second joint element to said second element to befastened,

means for fastening said second joint element to said second element tobe fastened, and longitudinally extending means to interfit in theinsertion space between the inside, of one leg of said first jointelement and the base of the channel of said second joint element aftersaid second lateral motion to block dislodgment and fill said space.

A joint for fastening together two structural elements such as furniturewhich comprises:

the outer walls of the opposed legs of said first a. afirst element tobefastened,

channel member of said first joint elementbeing b. a first jointelement-comprising a first elongate serrated, and said first elementbeing provided channel member having in cross-section opposed with agroove to receive said first joint element legs with a longitudinallyextending tongue extendhaving side walls to interlock with said serraingfrom one leg toward the other and spaced from tions.

the base,

means for fastening the first joint element along its 2. A joint forfastening together two structural elec.

' length to the first element to be fastened,

ments'such as furniture which comprises:

a. a first element to be fastened, d. a second element to be fastened,

b. a first joint element comprising a first elongate e.- a second jointelement comprising a second elonchannelmember having in cross-sectionopposed gate channel member having in cross-section legs with alongitudinally extending tongue extendspaced legs to receive said tonguein interlocking ing from one leg toward the other and spaced fromengagement, said second joint element being the base, dimensionedrelative to said first joint element to means for-fastening the firstjoint element along its provide insertion space to permit insertion ofsaid length to the first element to-be fastened, second joint elementcompletely into said first a second element to be fastened, channelmember laterally prior to engagement of a second joint elementcomprising a second elonsaid tongue with said second joint element by agate channel member having in cross-section second lateral motion atright angles to said first spaced legs to receive said tongue ininterlocking lateral insertion,

means for fastening said second joint element to said second element tobe fastened, and

g. longitudinally extending means positioned in the space between theinside of one leg of said first joint element and the base of saidsecond joint element after said second lateral motion to blockdislodgment of said second joint element.

5. A joint as defined in claim 4 in whichsaid means comprises aresilient projection movable out of said space in said first lateralmotion and adapted to move by inherent resilience into said space aftersaid second lateral motion.

6. A joint for fastening together two structural elements of anassembled unit such as furniture along a line of contact between the twoelements which comprises:

a. a first element to be fastened,

b. first means forming a channel recess in a surface of said firstelement and an elongate first tongue exengagement, said second jointelement being f. dimensioned relative to said first joint element toprovide insertion space to permit insertion of said second joint elementcompletely into said first channel member laterally prior to engagementof said tongue with said second joint element by a second lateral motionat right angles to said first lateral insertion, and f. means forfastening said second joint element to said second. element to befastened, I the second joint element having an elongate projection onthe outside of oneof the legs thereof, and said second element having anelongate recess to receive and interlock with said projection. 3. Ajoint for fastening together two structural elements such as furniturewhich comprises:

a. a first element to be fastened, b. a first joint element comprising afirst elongate said tongue with said second joint element by a secondlateral motion at right angles to said first lateral insertion,

channel member having in cross-section opposed tending in cross-sectionacross said channel recess legs with a longitudinally extending tongueextend from one side toward the other spaced from the ing from one legtoward the other and spaced from base of the channel leaving .aninsertion space the base, between the end of the tongue and the otherside means for fastening the first joint element along its of thechannel,

length to the first element to be fastened, 5 5 c. a second element tobe fastened, a second element to be fastened, d. second means forming anelongate joint member a second joint element comprising a secondelonalong a surface of said second element, said joint gate channelmember having in cross-section member having in cross-section a secondtongue spaced legs to receive said tongue in interlocking memberinsertable between said first tongue engagement, said second jointelement being member and the base of said channel recess, saiddimensioned relative to said first joint element to joint member beinginsertable intosaid insertion provide insertion space to permitinsertion of said space of said channel recess in a lateral motionsecond joint element completely into said first between said elements,said tongues being engaged channel member laterally prior to engagementof 5 in overlapped locked relation by a second lateral motion of saidjoint member relative to said channel in a direction at right angles tosaid first lateral motion, and

e. means in said insertion space subsequent to said assembly to blockdisengagement of said first and second means.

1. A joint for fastening together two structural elements such asfurniture which comprises: a. a first element to be fastened, b. a firstjoint element comprising a first elongate channel member having incross-section opposed legs with a longitudinally extending tongueextending from one leg toward the other and spaced from the base, c.means for fastening the first joint element along its length to thefirst element to be fastened, d. a second element to be fastened, e. asecond joint element comprising a second elongate channel member havingin cross-section spaced legs to receive said tongue in interlockingengagement, said second joint element being dimensioned relative to saidfirst joint element to provide insertion space to permit insertion ofsaid second joint element completely into said first channel memberlaterally prior to engagement of said tongue with said second jointelement by a second lateral motion at right angles to said first lateralinsertion, and f. means for fastening said second joint element to saidsecond element to be fastened, the outer walls of the opposed legs ofsaid first channel member of said firSt joint element being serrated,and said first element being provided with a groove to receive saidfirst joint element having side walls to interlock with said serrations.2. A joint for fastening together two structural elements such asfurniture which comprises: a. a first element to be fastened, b. a firstjoint element comprising a first elongate channel member having incross-section opposed legs with a longitudinally extending tongueextending from one leg toward the other and spaced from the base, c.means for fastening the first joint element along its length to thefirst element to be fastened, d. a second element to be fastened, e. asecond joint element comprising a second elongate channel member havingin cross-section spaced legs to receive said tongue in interlockingengagement, said second joint element being dimensioned relative to saidfirst joint element to provide insertion space to permit insertion ofsaid second joint element completely into said first channel memberlaterally prior to engagement of said tongue with said second jointelement by a second lateral motion at right angles to said first lateralinsertion, and f. means for fastening said second joint element to saidsecond element to be fastened, the second joint element having anelongate projection on the outside of one of the legs thereof, and saidsecond element having an elongate recess to receive and interlock withsaid projection.
 3. A joint for fastening together two structuralelements such as furniture which comprises: a. a first element to befastened, b. a first joint element comprising a first elongate channelmember having in cross-section opposed legs with a longitudinallyextending tongue extending from one leg toward the other and spaced fromthe base, c. means for fastening the first joint element along itslength to the first element to be fastened, d. a second element to befastened, e. a second joint element comprising a second elongate channelmember having in cross-section spaced legs to receive said tongue ininterlocking engagement, said second joint element being dimensionedrelative to said first joint element to provide insertion space topermit insertion of said second joint element completely into said firstchannel member laterally prior to engagement of said tongue with saidsecond joint element by a second lateral motion at right angles to saidfirst lateral insertion, f. means for fastening said second jointelement to said second element to be fastened, and g. longitudinallyextending means to interfit in the insertion space between the inside ofone leg of said first joint element and the base of the channel of saidsecond joint element after said second lateral motion to blockdislodgment and fill said space.
 4. A joint for fastening together twostructural elements such as furniture which comprises: a. a firstelement to be fastened, b. a first joint element comprising a firstelongate channel member having in cross-section opposed legs with alongitudinally extending tongue extending from one leg toward the otherand spaced from the base, c. means for fastening the first joint elementalong its length to the first element to be fastened, d. a secondelement to be fastened, e. a second joint element comprising a secondelongate channel member having in cross-section spaced legs to receivesaid tongue in interlocking engagement, said second joint element beingdimensioned relative to said first joint element to provide insertionspace to permit insertion of said second joint element completely intosaid first channel member laterally prior to engagement of said tonguewith said second joint element by a second lateral motion at rightangles to said first lateral insertion, f. means for fastening saidsecond joint element to said second element to be fastened, and g.longitudinally extending means positioned in the space between theinside of one leg of said first jOint element and the base of saidsecond joint element after said second lateral motion to blockdislodgment of said second joint element.
 5. A joint as defined in claim4 in which said means comprises a resilient projection movable out ofsaid space in said first lateral motion and adapted to move by inherentresilience into said space after said second lateral motion.
 6. A jointfor fastening together two structural elements of an assembled unit suchas furniture along a line of contact between the two elements whichcomprises: a. a first element to be fastened, b. first means forming achannel recess in a surface of said first element and an elongate firsttongue extending in cross-section across said channel recess from oneside toward the other spaced from the base of the channel leaving aninsertion space between the end of the tongue and the other side of thechannel, c. a second element to be fastened, d. second means forming anelongate joint member along a surface of said second element, said jointmember having in cross-section a second tongue member insertable betweensaid first tongue member and the base of said channel recess, said jointmember being insertable into said insertion space of said channel recessin a lateral motion between said elements, said tongues being engaged inoverlapped locked relation by a second lateral motion of said jointmember relative to said channel in a direction at right angles to saidfirst lateral motion, and e. means in said insertion space subsequent tosaid assembly to block disengagement of said first and second means.